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Where one makeover inspired another

Wed, 15 May 2024 13:39:36 GMT

Meet Kerry.

Kerry called us about 2 years ago - she was in desperate need of her living room to be fixed up and restored to some level of organisation. It was currently being used as a kids play area, but her in-laws were arriving in 3 weeks from overseas and in her own words, she “was in no good mental, or emotional head space to address that mammoth task”, but very aware of the chaos it was looking like.

Taking on the chaos

We arrived on the 1 ^st day, finding Kerry sitting in a dark garage, in a robe, messy bun, and smoking a cigarette looking rather dismayed with her life in general.

We immediately hit to task – clearing up the living room and then ending up doing the garage as well to make space for all her kids play stuff.

A new lady in town

Kerry was so happy with the work done in the living room, that she asked us to do the entire house! When we started with the kitchen, she was still sitting in the garage smoking, but found her dressed, and hair washed and all. A spring in the much-needed step as they say and definitely making more of an effort.

After Day 2 organisation and reflow of her kitchen, she came home, and she had her nails done, hair coloured and dressed beautifully. In her new found role of self, she actually cooked her family a meal and our team. A new energy was clearly present - she seemed so uplifted, so much more full of life, seeing how her newly organised home was bringing her back to life.

She said that we changed her view on her family and felt that she was able to take on home life again. Energy cleared is such a powerful concept and this was a wonderful way to see her investment in self with her pride in home and her living space.

Solving more than organisation

Wed, 15 May 2024 13:29:15 GMT

When a Home is no longer just a Home

Mark and Caroline.

Mark called me up around a year ago and mentioned that him and his wife Caroline were going through a tough divorce, and needed to urgently sell the house they were living in.

The challenge – they were struggling to sell the house in the state that it was in -it was cluttered, chaotic and didn’t feel like anyone’s dream home. Sadly, neither of them was willing, or had the time to attend to it and make it a buyers dream.

We provided a quotation to try and get this sorted as quickly for them. Our quote came to approximately R220,000 for fixing up and organising their 4-bedroom home.

Our bespoke MK method of organising was quickly put in place - each area of the house was addressed with beautiful systems, inserts and functional storage, so that even if they moved, it would work in any other space (except for the custom drawer inserts).

After a thorough clear out and clean up, it was ready to be put on the market!

Finding a new love in the home

Caroline called me around 6 weeks later, stating that the original evaluation of their home when they wanted to sell was at R3.8 Million, and they got an offer at R4.5million, R700,000 more than the original amount after investing with us!

I couldn’t believe the power that MK systems organisation could bring to the new value of their home. But there was more to the story, Caroline had actually called to say that since having organised their space, her and Mark had found an inspired new love for their home, and each other. Through clearing all the clutter, the emotional and physical mess that harboured underneath was suddenly cleared and made space for new conversations, fresh energy and a deep appreciation for each other that was missing for years.

By the grace of God (and our simplified organisation) their relationship was restored, much like their new home.

The beauty of this story:

Through a fresh reconciliation, they decided to start over, this time with a mindset of a beautiful new home to care for, a fresh start to their life, and a beautiful new reason to fight for their home.

Our MK Difference:

We truly do way more than just simply organising, we restore peace, recreate magic where there is chaos, and bring families and homes back together.

Why you should hire a Professional Organiser

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 14:59:46 GMT

Part 1: Busting the myths

During field work, I realised that there are different myths and limiting beliefs that people have about professional organisers. Let’s bust them now!

1. “I have messy house. It is embarrassing to hire people to go through my piles of hoarding.”

Well, the truth is that we love your mess. I personally think most organisers have self-proclaimed OCD.
Decluttering and organising chaotic spaces and creating systems that work is our joy, drive and meditation.

It can be a bit scary to go into an organised house where everything is already perfect. Besides, if there is no mess,
how are we supposed to take those before and after pictures?

2. “They will come and force me to throw away all my clothes and Tupperware.”

Not a single thing leaves your cabinets and cupboards without your permission.
Practice shows that people part with their belongings quite slowly in the beginning, but as we on go the process becomes easier and faster.

3. “I don’t have anything to declutter, I have donated, thrown away and repurposed all of my unwanted things”.

I’ll bet we can still find at least 6 big bags of things you don’t use.

I once visited my parent’s house and organised my mother’s kitchen. My father hoards tools and various things in the garage as well as fishing equipment as he enjoys fishing. I offered to help organise his garage as there is no place for a car anymore, but he refused. He said that everything he owns, he needs.

After seeing the organised pantry and kitchen his mind started to change. I counted his t-shirts which was an eye opener for him so he decided to give it a try. He was shocked to see how many duplicates of tools he has.

He has sold a lot and after a month he ended up selling his fishing boat because he realised that it became too heavy to drag to the water. For the past three years he has been using the inflatable fishing boat. People are so used to having their stuff around so it’s hard to see what is actually needed and what is just staying there because it has always been there.

4. “They will come and organise but my family will mess everything up in a week. There is no point.”
Our job is not only help you declutter, but to also put a system in place. With the help of baskets, bins, containers and labels.
When everything has own place it becomes easier to keep the house organised.

5. “It’s very expensive.”

It is not a cheap task but is also not called luxury service for nothing. Fortunately, when it comes to organising products there is a big range of prices for all storage categories. Many clients sell their unwanted goods and make some money back.

After organising you end up saving money as you stop buying duplicates. You will know what you own and where it is located. New habits will be made and you will start asking yourself – do I really want to buy this, or I do I want to buy this because of clever marketing tactics? Out of interest – track your spending before and after organizing and let us know the results.

Play Room Organisation Made Simple

Tue, 04 May 2021 04:34:09 GMT

It can be done!

Play rooms are notorious for being dumping grounds for all sorts from broken toys to dried play dough. Surely, a clean and neat toy area sounds great but in retrospect, can it be maintained?

As a mum of two energetic boys I can safely say the answer is yes. Aesthetic aside, toy areas need to be functional and easily accessible and can therefore be maintained when every item is grouped and has a home.

Whether it’s cars and trucks or dolls and tea-sets, having a storage system helps kids identify what they want to play with and makes tidy-up time a lot faster.

When there are too many toys in a cluttered environment, kids tend to feel overwhelmed and only play with their toys for a few minutes.

As a mum, I’m mindful of what toys I purchase for my kids. I tend to run in the opposite direction when it comes to toys with hundreds of tiny pieces. I personally question myself as to what a toy can teach my child as opposed to buying toys for the sake of it.

Toy Rotation has not only been proven to work but it also saves space and avoids sensory overload. When a toy is kept away for some time and brought back out, kids feel as if they have just discovered a new toy. This helps them to enjoy the toys that they do have, saves on clean up time and saves you money in the long run. That’s a win-win situation any parent would love.
Try it and let us know if these tips make your life a little more organised and a lot less cluttered.

Thanks for reading!
Humaira,
MK Method Durban

Top Tips for a Neat and Productive Space

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 15:34:04 GMT

Mastering Home Stationery Organisation

Are you tired of rummaging through piles of pens, stacks of sticky notes, and cluttered desk drawers just to find that one important document or a working pen? A well-organized home stationery setup not only saves you time but also enhances your productivity and creativity. In this blog post, we'll share some expert tips to help you streamline and declutter your home office or study space.

1. Assess Your Needs

Before diving into organization, take a moment to assess your stationery needs. What types of items do you frequently use? Consider pens, pencils, highlighters, notepads, sticky notes, paper clips, and any other supplies essential for your work or hobbies.

2. Categorise Your Supplies

Divide your stationery into categories. Group similar items together, such as writing tools, sticky notes, paper products, and miscellaneous office supplies. This step provides a clear overview of your inventory and helps you determine the storage solutions required.

3. Declutter Ruthlessly

Now that you've categorised your stationery, it's time to declutter. Be honest with yourself about what you truly need and use regularly. Donate, recycle, or dispose of items you no longer need or those that have dried out or are beyond repair.

4. Invest in Smart Storage

Once you've decluttered, invest in practical storage solutions. Consider transparent containers, drawer organizers, or decorative baskets that fit your style and workspace. Use trays or dividers to keep items separated and easily accessible.

5. Create Zones

Designate specific zones for different stationery categories. For instance, have a drawer or container for writing instruments, another for paper products, and a separate one for office tools like staplers and hole punches. This approach ensures that everything has its place, reducing clutter.

6. Label Everything

Labeling is the key to maintaining an organised stationery area. Use labels or clear tape and a marker to mark each container or drawer, indicating its contents. This step not only helps you find what you need quickly but also makes it easy to put items back in their designated spots.

7. Prioritise Accessibility

Keep your most frequently used items within arm's reach. Reserve the most accessible space for essentials like your favorite pens, notebooks, and your daily to-do list. This way, you won't waste time searching for the basics.

8. Regular Maintenance

Maintaining an organised stationery area requires ongoing effort. Take a few minutes each week to tidy up, reorganize, and restock as needed. This routine will help you avoid the buildup of clutter and ensure that your workspace remains efficient.

9. Get Creative with DIY Solutions

Consider crafting your own organisation solutions. Repurpose old containers, like glass jars or shoeboxes, and decorate them to suit your style. DIY organizers can add a personal touch to your workspace while keeping your stationery in order.

10. Stay Inspired

Finally, maintain your motivation to keep your stationery organized by creating an inspiring workspace. Decorate with meaningful artwork, motivational quotes, or plants to make your home office an inviting and organized haven.

By implementing these practical tips, you can achieve a well-organized home stationery setup that not only enhances your productivity but also adds a touch of creativity and inspiration to your workspace. Say goodbye to clutter and hello to a productive and inviting home office or study area!

Do you cringe when you open your fridge?

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 15:35:14 GMT

Fridge and Freezer Organisation

Finding forgotten food hidden at back of your fridge is annoying to say the least. The number one reason for household food wastage in South Africa is sell by and expiry dates.

Having an organised fridge and freezer can help minimise food wastage while providing you with a system. It also looks nice which is always a plus!

I like to use clear fridge and freezer storage containers available at Store and More, @home and most plastic shops. Lazy Suzan’s are also great for easy access to sauces and more. The clear storage containers allow you to see the food in your fridge or freezer without much hassle. Label the clear storage containers and Lazy Suzan’s to ensure foods stay organised. This will also provide long term maintenance.

Its important that all foods that are going to expire first are placed in the front of your designated fridge or freezer container. This will ensure that you see it first.

Keep in mind that in order to keep things looking a certain way, habits need to be made such as putting things where they belong from the start. This keeps things organised. With fridges and freezers, every time you pack your groceries into the fridge and freezer you need to make sure they go into the correct place otherwise you are going to end up with a disorganised fridge.

Make sure that you customise this project to suit your own needs. If you consume and buy a lot of milkshakes (for example), it might be a good idea to dedicate a container to this.

Thanks for reading and happy organising!

Allison Ingham
MK Method, Cape Town

Happy organising with Humaira

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 04:38:59 GMT

Tips to start organising

Have you ever considered yourself to be methodical about certain things? If lockdown has not brought out the inner organiser in you, then I’m sure binge watching TV shows such as The Home Edit and Marie Kondo will surely bring to light the sheer satisfaction that organisation can give you.

It is said that a decluttered and organised space contributes to your overall mental wellbeing and allows you to think more clearly. Organisation does not come naturally to everyone and fortunately there are professionals available to help. If you struggle with organising your home or any space, you can enlist the services of a professional organiser. A professional organiser will help you declutter and organise while bringing functionality into your life.

As someone who wanders around container stores for fun, organising has been a part of me since a young age. I grew up in a household where my mum would be “spring cleaning” every school holiday. I enjoyed going over to my friends homes to rearrange their parents pantries for fun! I am thrilled and excited that my passion for being neat and tidy has led me to a career in professional organising. Since joining MK Method, I believe that there is always room to learn new and exciting ways to organise and that there is room for improvement with every new client. Behind the visually appealing before and after pictures that you see, there is a lot of hard work and sweat that goes into each project, physically as well as mentally. It’s not always a pretty job but it is worth every moment, especially the look on a client’s face once they see the final result!

It is never too late to start organising your space. Here are some of my own tips that I hope will help guide you:

Focus on one area at a time before moving onto a new area
Before you begin, allocate bags or containers for trash and donation
Plan what you need and don’t forget to measure areas to ensure that everything fits
Use baskets to eliminate visual clutter and keep products of a similar nature together
Place a basket at the entrance of your home to keep odds and ends that need to be sorted together – try and sort this out every two weeks
Use space saver products such as Lazy Susan’s and Three Tier Steps, they are handy and functional
Keep your floor area open by hanging things up
Colour code items or group similar items for uniformity
Lastly, LABEL LABEL LABEL!

I hope these tips will inspire you to declutter and organise your space, be it by yourself or by enlisting the services of a professional. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing a before and after picture of an area you think doesn’t have the potential to be neat.

Happy organising!

Humaira
MK Method-Durban
Humaira@mkmethod.co.za